What a strange and beautiful week in Rio de Janeiro, seeing Yank! in Portuguese, meeting the cast, being stunned by their talent and charm onstage and off....and seeing a different culture embrace a story that feels at once deeply American and, in its own way, universal.

Also I gave a public interview and lecture on the American Musical in Portuguese. Was I perfect? Absolutely not. Was I sweating throughout Yes. But I did it and felt incredibly welcomed. And it was my birthday. Unforgettable!

Plus we're getting raves. Check them out below if you read Portuguese! xDavid ______________________- "The Most Courageous Show in Rio This Season!" Review by Rodrigo Fonseca! - "With a sensitive story, with a touch of humor, even if it is set in times of horror, such as WWII, "Yank! - The Musical "...offers us with its inspired dramaturgy and music, its choreographies and its actors a small symbolizing image of the indefatigable battle of those who fight the darkness of ignorance and the nefarious prejudice." Review by Paulo Ruch!

I was overwhelmed by the love, dedication, and fierce smarts in that one room. Thank you Lark for letting Ismail and I set the ball rolling at your theatre! And thank you to our wonderful writers, directors, and actors for making a night of readings and performances that proved electrifying. And yes, theatre alone can't change the world, but it can foster a new discourse, break through the endless lies and censorship and obfuscations that surround this issue, and demand radical empathy. So let's break some walls!

Very excited to be working with Ismail Khalidi on this exciting project! It's a little scary but when you're collaborating with a group of artists this good on a subject so important, it all feels right. Come check us out Monday June 5th! -David__________________FROM BROADWAY WORLD:

"BREAK THE WALLwww.breakthewallproject.org an open-access hybridtheatre/website theatre project addressing the Israel/Palestine conflict, officially launches on June 5, the 50th anniversary of the start of Israel's Occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

Cofounders David Zellnik (Yank!, Sharon/Herzl) and Ismail Khalidi (Tennis in Nablus, Sabra Falling) created this non-profit website to showcase an ever-growing roster of plays that challenge injustice and illuminate the central dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These short plays, from diverse perspectives and in an array of theatrical styles, can be downloaded for free and performed anywhere. The first 13 plays are ready to be downloaded and performed, and include works by playwrights such as Naomi Wallace, Kia Corthron, Yussef El Guindi, and Betty Shemiah among others. To celebrate the launch, there will be an evening of food, drink and selected plays at The Lark Theatre, 311 West 43rd Street, 5th Floor....................................................................................Read More on Broadway World!